Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Today is a Member's Day, the last one of the year. There are a couple of local bills first up, but they will probably be dealt with quickly, and then its on to the fun - starting with the last of Metiria Turei's Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 (Application to Casinos) Amendment Bill. This would expand the evidence-less asset seizure regime of the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act to cover money frittered away or laundered through casinos - effectively fighting injustice with injustice. That's not a good idea, but fortunately National's venality and cronyism has them on the side of good for once in opposing it. Next is Rino Tirikatene's Employment Relations (Protection of Young Workers) Amendment Bill, which while worthy - who could object to under-16s having proper employment law protection? - will probably be summarily voted down by the government. Finally the House will probably make a start on Kennedy Graham's Climate Change (New Zealand Superannuation Fund) Bill, which would force the Cullen Fund to be both ethical and practical by considering climate change in its investment decisions. Sadly, National is neither ethical nor practical on this issue, and are likely to vote to have our superannuation fund destroy the future it is supposedly set up to secure.

There should be a ballot for two bills tomorrow, and its again looking to be a record for the number of bills entered. Its good to see MPs of all parties working hard on this and putting up alternatives to the government's legislative programme.